Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, called on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and other development partners to establish a global fund to support smallholder farmers. This request was made during the 175th Session of the FAO Council, where Minister Tumwebaze led Uganda’s delegation in a recent meeting in Rome, Italy.
Minister Tumwebaze emphasized the importance of such a fund in addressing critical issues that smallholder farmers face, including access to fertilizers, vaccines, and resources for combating climate change. “My pitch is that partners in agriculture must create a global fund that helps to subsidize smallholder farmers on fertilizers, vaccines, and other disease control inputs. That will be the real insurance for the food system,” Tumwebaze stated.
He explained that the proposed fund would prioritize issues such as animal health, climate change, control of foot-and-mouth disease, and managing plant pest diseases, particularly in coffee plantations. The fund would also aim to support small and rural farmers, ensuring they have the necessary inputs to sustain their agricultural activities.
During the meeting, Tumwebaze held discussions with FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu. Dongyu expressed appreciation for Uganda’s support to FAO in fulfilling its mission both within the country and the broader region. He highlighted the longstanding and productive relationship between FAO and the people of Uganda.
Minister Tumwebaze conveyed his gratitude for the assistance provided by FAO through various projects and initiatives, notably in addressing foot-and-mouth disease, which remains a significant challenge in Uganda. Director-General Dongyu welcomed Tumwebaze’s proposal for the establishment of a global fund and expressed FAO’s commitment to support this initiative.
Key Points of the Proposed Fund
| Priority Issues | Details |
|---|---|
| Animal Health | Focus on controlling and preventing diseases like foot-and-mouth disease |
| Climate Change | Resources to help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions |
| Fertilizers | Subsidies to make fertilizers more affordable for smallholder farmers |
| Plant Pest Diseases | Support in managing diseases affecting crops, especially coffee |
| Support for Small Farmers | Assistance tailored to the needs of small and rural farmers |
Additionally, Minister Tumwebaze informed the FAO Director-General about Uganda’s plans to host the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the African Union in January 2025. He requested FAO’s technical support in implementing the post-Malabo Framework under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). This framework aims to lead agricultural development across Africa for the next twenty years.
FAO’s Director-General reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to providing the necessary technical support. Both parties agreed to continue their collaboration towards transforming agri-food systems, guided by the Four Betters principles. These principles aim to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), contributing to the broader 2030 Agenda.
